High tech defines overseas image of S. Korea: poll

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- Most foreigners first conjure up an image of a hi-tech
powerhouse when they think of South Korea thanks to its world-famous electronics
brands, a poll showed Monday.

The 2008 survey of 4,214 people in 25 countries showed that high technology
standards were the first image that came into their mind when they thought about
South Korea, the report by the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade
(KIET) said.
Overseas perception of hightech as the country's defining image was unchanged
from 2007, the institute said.
According to the findings, Korean food and television dramas came in second and
third place, followed by positive views related to the Korean people and economic
growth.
In 2007, technology ranked first in a top ten list, followed by Korean people,
food, the Korean War and television dramas.
Overall negative views including the Korean War fell on the list, while overseas
views regarding North Korea's nuclear threat remained unchanged at seventh place
in 2007 and 2008.
Compared to products made in Japan, Germany and the United States, locally made
goods were on average 30 percent under-valued abroad.
The poll, meanwhile, said South Korea's national image was highest in Russia,
Canada and Saudi Arabia, with people in these countries giving high marks for
locally made mobile phones and other consumer electronics goods.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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